Counter-Attacks Are Tricky

The fact that Mexico play with one defensive midfielder can turn into a mess.

Israel, with their limitations, managed to put El Tri's in distress on a regular basis. Rodriguez is in no shape to start a game.

A fast and strong attacking midfielder or a forward, like Neymar, Mario Mandzukic or Samuel Eto'o, will see this as an advantage, and they will not forgive.

It is clear that the defense needs to be strong. Rafael Marquez will give this line more structure, while Miguel Herrera should really start looking for another formation or a fierce defensive midfielder who can contain the rivals.

Individual Efforts Were Not Enough

Mexico displayed a lot of dynamism and verticality, but the individual efforts were not enough. As a group, they are fast and at times they even need to slow down a bit to structure the offense.

Fabian and Isaac Brizuela are perfect examples of it. They ran and ran and ran, but they can certainly do better.

Fabian's goal was a fantastic demonstration of technique and boldness, but the goal didn't make a real impact in the score as the team was already winning 2-0 and there was little time on the clock.

Brizuela has to step up too. He can be very fast and unbalancing, but if he doesn't create goal opportunities, then he is no use inside the pitch, mainly because he is fighting this position with Luis Montes, who has already proved to be at the level required to play a World Cup.

These two have a couple of more games to demonstrate that they deserve the starting position.